Mid-Island Bluebelt Drainage Plans

Mid-Island Bluebelt Drainage Plans Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement

A Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement (Draft GEIS) has been prepared by DEP for the proposed Mid-Island Bluebelt Amended Drainage Plans project. This Draft GEIS assesses the potential for environmental impacts and related mitigation to occur under the proposed project.

A Positive Declaration and a Draft Scope of Work for this Draft GEIS was issued on April 12, 2010. A public hearing on the Draft Scope of Work was held on May 16, 2010 in Staten Island. The period for submitting written comments remained open until May 31, 2010. A Final Scope of Work was issued on September 30, 2010, finalizing the scope of analysis for the Draft GEIS based on comments received. This Draft GEIS was prepared based on the methodologies and issues identified and described within the Final Scope of Work.

Project Description

DEP proposes to amend the drainage plans for three watersheds within the Mid-Island (South Shore) area of Staten Island. The proposed project covers the Oakwood Beach, New Creek, and South Beach watersheds located in Staten Island Community Boards 2 and 3, an area approximately 5,000 acres in size. Each of these watersheds has surface water features such as streams, ponds and wetlands that would be utilized with the objective of protecting and enhancing these resources through the preservation and improvement of existing streams and wetlands.

The objective of the proposed project is to provide comprehensive stormwater management and address chronic flooding of streets and properties in Mid-Island while preserving and enhancing existing wetlands. Best management practices (BMPs) would be included to provide improved stormwater conveyance, attenuation of stormwater velocities, management and control of stormwater volumes and pollutant removal to reduce flooding of private properties and public streets. In addition, three new proposed outfalls would convey stormwater runoff to Lower Bay. Also, the proposed project includes designs for additional and upgraded sanitary sewers for wastewater conveyance to the Oakwood Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). If approved, the proposed action would commence in fiscal year 2013 and would continue through 2043.

Public Hearing and Comment Period for Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement

One public hearing was held to receive oral and written comments on the Draft GEIS. This hearing was held on:

Thursday, October 27, 2011
7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Staten Island Community Board #2 Offices
Community Services Building, Sea View Hospital
460 Brielle Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10314

The public comment period for this project has been extended to Friday, December 16, 2011.

Please direct any comments or questions on the Draft GEIS to:

Erin Morey, Project Manager
New York City Department of Environmental Protection
Bureau of Environmental Planning and Analysis
59-17 Junction Boulevard, 11th Floor
Flushing, New York 11373
Phone: 718-595-6443
Fax: 718-595-4479

Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement

• Notice of Completion of Draft GEIS 
• Cover and Table of Contents 
• Executive Summary 
• Project Description of the Overall Program 
• Methodology for Drainage Plan EIS Analyses 
• Oakwood Beach Watershed (24 MB)
• New Creek Watershed (41 MB)
• South Beach Watershed (29 MB)
• Impacts During Construction 
• Alternatives 
• Mitigation 
• Unavoidable Adverse Impacts 
• Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitment of Resources 
• Appendix A: Waterfront Revitalization Program (WRP) and Consistency Assessment Form 
• Appendix B: Stream Bank Stabilization Techniques 
• Appendix C: Natural Resources Data Inventory 
• Appendix D: Water Quality Reports 

Mid-Island Bluebelt Drainage Plans Final Scope of Work

DEP reviewed all relevant comments on the Draft Scope of Work (DSOW) which were incorporated into the Final Scope of Work (FSOW).  The FSOW was completed on September 30, 2011.

• Final Scope of Work

Public Scoping Meeting

A Public Scoping Meeting was held on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 to receive oral and written comments on the Draft Scope of Work (DSOW). Written comments on the DSOW were accepted until May 31, 2010.

• Determination of Significance
• Draft Scope of Work 
• DSOW Figure 1 
• DSOW Figure 2 
• DSOW Figure 3 
• DSOW Figure 4

Please visit the Staten Island Bluebelt homepage for additional information on this award-winning, ecologically-sound and cost-effective stormwater management program.